NWSL opening weekend preview

The 2016 NWSL season opener begins tomorrow and lasts through the weekend. Here’s what you should be expecting out of the matches!

If you’re a women’s soccer fan, then it’s more likely than not that you’ve heard of the National Women’s Soccer League. You probably also know that the first few attempts at a women’s soccer league in the United States failed which makes the fact that the NWSL opens their fourth season tomorrow pretty special. Here’s what you can expect going into a weekend full of women’s soccer.

First up we have the Washington Spirit playing the Boston Breakers at 7:00 pm ET. This is sure to be a pretty physical match and the Breakers have a statement to make after finishing last in the season in 2015. Boston is going to want to make a good start to the season after becoming the first team in league history to not win a single road game during the entire season.

Whitney Engen and Christen Westphal, new additions for the Breakers, will definitely be a key factor on defense for Saturday’s first match. Washington, too, has a vendetta to settle since the Spirit have never played well against Boston. In nine-all-time meetings against the Breakers, Washington only has one win. You will be able to watch the match on the NWSL’s YouTube platform here.

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Next you have the Houston Dash hosting the Chicago Red Stars at 8:30 pm ET. The Dash are no longer the youngest organization in the league and have a lot to say at BBVA Compass Stadium tomorrow. In six meeting with Chicago, Houston has yet to win a match. Saturday we will see a handful of returning members to the roster like USWNT star Carli Lloyd, but we will also get a taste of what the new kids on the block have for Houston as Dash expects Ireland international forward Denise O’Sullivan and midfielder Amber Brooks to make strong debuts.

Chicago will bring much of the same game as last season that ended in their first ever trip to the NWSL postseason and best season overall since being in the league. Chicago isn’t going to bring their quit, but neither will Houston. Fans are in for a treat! You can watch this match on NWSL’s YouTube platform here.

The last game for Saturday will be the highly anticipated FC Kansas City against the Western New York Flash with kick off set for 8:30 PM ET (yes, same time as the Dash-Red Stars match up). FCKC is two-time defending champion looking for a strong start for their 2016 campaign where they hope to get a three-pete championship season. With the retirement of Lauren Holiday and the news of Amy Rodriguez to be out for the season, the Blues are going to have to lean heavily on USWNT star Becky Sauerbrunn leading a young roster.

FCKC will also be looking to extend their record of keeping opponents scoreless for the fifth straight game after shutting out their last four matches of the 2015 season. The Flash will be looking to shut that record down and notch their first road victory against FCKC. Fans can watch the match on NWSL’s YouTube platform here.

Sunday’s set of matches will begin with the Seattle Reign facing Sky Blue FC at 7:00 pm ET. Last season, the Reign lost in the NWSL championship game for the second time while facing FC Kansas City. With the retirement of Stephanie Cox and Megan Rapinoe expected to miss a large part of the season due to a torn ACL, the Reign are going to try to compensate heavily on the left side of the field.

Sky Blue is ready to prove a point after missing playoffs last season and will come out stronger than fans have ever seen before. I expect this match to be a battle of the offenses with shooting. You can catch the match on NWSL’s YouTube platform here.

The last match of the NWSL opening weekend is the Portland Thorns FC taking on the brand new organization Orlando Pride. The Pride being the youngest sibling obviously has a lot to prove stepping into their debut for the league. An idea turned into reality with USWNT star Alex Morgan and former Dash member Kaylyn Kyle, the team already has credibility.

With Ashlyn Harris between the sticks, the Pride is set to have a great first match in the NWSL. The Thorns have made huge misses in the off-season that included losing Alex Morgan in exchange for the No. 1 overall pick, but added coach Mark Parsons to the squad. After missing playoffs last season, fans can expect a heck of a show from both ends. You can catch the match on NWSL’s YouTube platform here.

The opening weekend for the NWSL is sure to be a great one. Keep on the lookout for your favorite team’s scores and updates throughout the season and help the game continue to grow!